It's OK to root for a slimmed-down Christie

So Gov. Chris Christie "secretly" underwent weight-loss surgery three months ago, and now the political world is abuzz trying to read the tea leaves, to divine whether this is yet another carefully manufactured step toward an inevitable presidential run, or whether it is indeed, as Christie explained, about family most of all.

So a 50-year-old man who has struggled with his weight for decades opts for surgery to combat a problem that other attempts have failed to solve, out of concern for his health and his family. Is that so hard to understand? Does it really matter whether or not this is also part of his prep work for a presidential campaign?

On this subject, standard political cynicism isn't warranted. Let the man address his own health, in as much peace as the governor of the state can be allowed.

That said, however, it's also reasonable to acknowledge that Christie's weight - whatever it may be down the road if he does indeed throw his hat into the presidential ring - would be a campaign issue if he remains significantly overweight. It would be exploited delicately by opponents, but exploited nonetheless, in the same way that age has often been targeted as a potential health risk for the leader of the free world.

That may all seem a bit unfair; after all, unhealthy lifestyles come in many varieties and can extend far beyond the calendar or the scale. But it's still a reasonable burden for a candidate to bear. Presidential contenders, merely by seeking the office, are telling us that they are prepared to take on the massive responsibilities of the job. If there's a heightened chance that health concerns could compromise that ability, voters need to consider that. And opponents have good reason to find a way to broach the subject without coming across as insensitive.

Of course too many people will simply resort to fat jokes and verbal abuse, and while much of the public will have little tolerance for such nonsense, the cumulative effect would nonetheless hurt Christie's image, and his chances.

Right or wrong, a slimmer Christie will have a better chance to win the presidency. It would be na´ve to think he gave no thought to that when opting for surgery. It would also be foolish to think he didn't have the health and welfare of himself and his family front and center in his thinking.

Whatever you think about Christie the politician, root for the father and husband to conquer his weight problem. It's the right thing to do.

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It's OK to root for a slimmed-down Christie

So Gov. Chris Christie ?secretly? underwent weight-loss surgery three months ago, and now the political world is abuzz trying to read the tea leaves, to divine whether this is yet another carefully

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